Friedrich (Baroque) – Strategy and Guide

9 months ago
jan
4 minutes

Welcome to our in-depth leader guide for Friedrich, Baroque in Sid Meier’s Civilization VII! This alternate leader persona for Friedrich the Great, the other being Friedrich, Oblique, introduced in the Deluxe Content Pack, blends Friedrich the Great’s military prowess with his passion for art and culture. By masterfully balancing warmongering with Wonder construction, Friedrich can lead Prussia to victory through both might and majesty. Let’s dive in and explore how to make the most of his unique abilities and agenda.

Unique Ability: Hohenfriedberger Marsch

Friedrich, Baroque’s defining ability, Hohenfriedberger Marsch, offers a potent mix of cultural and military bonuses:

  • Gain a free Great Work the first time you capture a city (one per city)
  • Gain a free Infantry Unit each time you construct a Culture Building

This ability empowers an early rush strategy – by capturing a few cities right away, you can quickly amass several Great Works to fuel your culture and tourism output. The free Infantry from Culture Buildings provides a steady stream of troops to further your conquests, without having to divert production in your core cities.

To maximize Hohenfriedberger Marsch, prioritize these key steps:

  1. Scout early to locate juicy targets for your first offensive push
  2. Aggressively pursue Writing and Currency techs to unlock Great Work slots
  3. Front-load key Cultural Wonders like the Oracle and Apadana
  4. Maintain constant military pressure to exploit the free Infantry

Leader Agenda: Parisian Sensibilities

True to his Francophile leanings, Friedrich’s agenda Parisian Sensibilities revolves around building Wonders in his Capital:

  • Likes civilizations that build many Wonders in their Capital (medium relationship boost per Wonder)
  • Dislikes civilizations with few Wonders in their Capital (small relationship penalty per building)

To get on Friedrich’s good side, focus your early Wonder production in your Capital. Impressive Wonders like the Pyramids or Colosseum are great options. On the flip side, be wary of falling behind in this monument race, lest you draw his ire.

When playing as Friedrich himself, lean into his agenda by doubling down on Capital Wonders. With smart district choices to boost adjacency and a head start on key techs/civics, you can position your Capital as the “Prussian Paris” in no time!

Playstyle & Strategy

Friedrich, Baroque’s kit naturally supports a hybrid playstyle of cultural development and military expansion, especially in the Ancient-Classical eras. Your top priorities are:

  • Settle or capture several cities to serve as Great Work repositories
  • Build Theater Squares, Wonders, and other Culture Buildings in every city
  • Maintain 2-3 standing armies to capture cities and deter aggressors
  • Beeline Writing, Construction, and other key cultural techs/civics

One effective opening gambit is to rush Stonehenge (for a free Great Prophet) while conquering 1-2 neighboring cities for the Great Work boost. Consolidate with Wonders and Theater Squares in your core, then push outward again once Hohenfriedberger Marsch Infantry start rolling in. For governments, Classical Republic and Monarchy are strong choices.

Later on, transition your infrastructure toward a Culture Victory, leveraging your early Great Works and Wonders as a springboard. With thoughtful district adjacencies, policy slots, and a few clutch late-game Tourism modifiers, you can ride Friedrich’s Rococo wave all the way to a stylish victory! Cultural Alliances and well-timed Musician bombs can help seal the deal.

Counterplay Tips

If you find yourself staring down Friedrich’s muskets and manuscript quills, here are some tips:

  • Match his early aggression with stout defensive tactics (e.g. archers, walls, garrisons)
  • Prioritize a few key Wonders in your Capital to avoid diplomatic penalties
  • Deny him easy Great Work slots by fortifying frontier cities and playing peacekeepers
  • Pursue a different victory type (e.g. Science) to outpace his snowballing culture

TL;DR

Friedrich, Baroque offers an engaging hybrid playstyle for fans of early-game conquest and wonder-whoring. By combining daring offensive pushes with diligent cultural development, you can live out Prussia’s glory days as a haven for both warriors and artists. For newer players, he’s a great gateway leader into warmongering strategies. Veterans will appreciate the intricate balance between building and battling that he demands. Whatever your persuasion, Friedrich is sure to treat you to a game filled with masterpieces – both on the canvas and the battlefield!